He had been taken to hospital on Saturday after sustaining injuries to his neck at the Mid-North Coast Correctional Centre and it's believed he fled while using the toilet.

A large-scale search was launched with local police, highway patrol, the dog unit and PolAir scouring the nearby area but it was suspended at 6pm because the search area had become too large, a NSW Police spokesman said.

About 7.15pm, police pursued a vehicle which came to a halt after striking a roundabout on the Pacific Highway at Frederickton. The driver, Furner, fled on foot.

An extensive search of the highway led police to the vicinity of Quarry Road and Seashore Lane in Frederickton, where Furner was seen trying to enter a property.